Frustration reigns for Capello and Hitzfeld
Reuters - Monday 06 September 2010, 07:26
BERNE - Ottmar Hitzfeld and Fabio
Capello, two of Europe's most successful coaches at club level,
will meet for the first time on the international stage on
Tuesday, where both are finding life far less comfortable.
Capello's England team, still under a cloud after their
dismal World Cup display, visit Hitzfeld's goal-shy Switzerland
for what is expected to be the most difficult match in their
Euro 2012 qualifying campaign.
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Germany's Hitzfeld, winner of an extraordinary seven
Bundesliga and two Champions League titles, is under growing
pressure over Switzerland's failure to find the net.
Italian Capello, winner of four Serie A, two La Liga and
one Champions League title, may take a long time to win back
confidence after England's lame display at the World Cup,
although their 4-0 win over Bulgaria in their opening Group G
match on Friday was a good start.
Both men showed signs of fraying nerves after their team's
matches on Friday.
Hitzfeld lost patience when the St Gallen crowd jeered
striker and record Swiss scorer Alexander Frei after he missed
a penalty in the goalless friendly draw at home to Australia.
"The way that a few fans treated him was embarrassing,"
said Hitzfeld, suggesting that Switzerland should avoid playing
at St Gallen in the future. "Alexander Frei has given great
service to the team."
Switzerland were widely criticised for their defensive
style at the World Cup, where they went out in the first round
despite a 1-0 win over eventual winners Spain in their opening
game.
It turned out to be their only goal at the tournament, a
problem throughout Hitzfeld's two years at the helm.
Capello snapped after being asked if he deserved more
respect. "Respect is not the right word because 'respect' in
Italy means something different. The word 'respect' has a
lighter meaning in English," he retorted.
Capello will look to ensure that his side hit the ground
running, repeating the sharp passing and incisive running that
tore through Bulgaria in the opening 20 minutes and which was
such a filip after the fear-fuelled stodge of the World Cup.
His concern is that as the second goal failed to
materialise the players lost their way somewhat and allowed
their opponents to grab a toehold.
Joe Hart, installed as first choice goalkeeper having been
an unused number three in South Africa, was forced to make
several good saves, not least on the hour at 1-0 when Bulgaria
were really pressing.
The defence looked disorganised at times and, with regular
centre back partners Rio Ferdinand and John Terry being joined
by Michael Dawson on the injured list, Capello must throw
together another untried pairing against the Swiss.
Phil Jagielka, whose pace and movement belie his insistence
that he still does not feel worthy of an England shirt, is
certain to be one of them with either Gary Cahill, who made his
debut off the bench as Dawson's replacement on Friday, Matthew
Upson or Joleon Lescott alongside him.
Probable line-ups:
Switzerland: Diego Benaglio; Stefan Lichtsteiner, Stephane
Grichting, Steve von Bergen, Reto Ziegler; Gokan Inler, Gelson
Fernandes, David Degen, Xherdan Shaquiri: Alexander Frei, Eren
Derdiyok
England: Joe Hart; Glen Johnson, Gary Cahill, Phil
Jagielka, Ashley Cole; James Milner, Steven Gerrard, Gareth
Barry, Theo Walcott; Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney.
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